Coolidge and Heesch considered for Grammy nomination

Unlikely as it may seem, our town of Fallbrook is home to two recording artists — Rita Coolidge and Craig Heesch — who are being considered for Grammy nominations this year. Not only are they both being considered for nomination in the 48th Grammy Awards, they are both candidates in the same category. Out of over 100 possible categories they are both contenders for nomination for the Best Traditional Pop Vocal album. This category is primarily music from the great American standards written by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein and other great American composers.

The coincidences do not end there. On their albums “And So is Love” (Coolidge) and “From Out of the Wings” (Heesch) they have each included the same song on their albums being considered as Grammy material — that timeless favorite “Come Rain Or Come Shine.”

Rita Coolidge, with Kris Kristofferson, has been a Grammy winner in the past, while Craig Heesch only recently signed with American Jazz Records, who announced that his album “From Out of the Wings” had been submitted for Grammy consideration. Heesch is also a candidate for nomination as Best New Artist in 2005. When asked, Heesch said he “…felt wonderful and privileged to be considered for a nomination in a category of music that I have always loved.” Coolidge, scheduled for several performances in Washington, could not be reached for comment.

Those interested in listening to Coolidge or Heesch’s individual treatments of the romantic American standards need only to visit their respective Web sites, http://www.ritacoolidge.com and http://www.craigheesch.com. In Fallbrook their albums are available at Major Market.